Des Moines to Lorain: Road Trip Guide & Distance

591.6 miles 952.1 km · straight line
709.9 miles estimated 1142.5 km · driving distance
14h 17min estimated drive time
$68 - $84 estimated fuel cost
~1h 41min flight time
87° E bearing direction

How far is Des Moines from Lorain?

The distance from Des Moines to Lorain is 591.6 miles (952.1 km) as the crow flies. Lorain is located E of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 709.9 miles, taking about 14h 17min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 41min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines in Iowa and Lorain in Ohio.

This is a serious multi-day road trip! We strongly recommend breaking this journey up with an overnight stay to ensure you arrive safely and refreshed. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility.

Coordinates come from public place data for Des Moines and Lorain. The driving distance is estimated from straight-line distance with a road-factor model, so confirm the route in your navigation app. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Des Moines to Lorain

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 14h 17min $68 - $84 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 41min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~17h 8min $57–$106* Budget
Train ~18h 34min $85–$248* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Des Moines & Lorain

Quick Facts

Des Moines
41.59°N, 93.63°W
America/Chicago
291m elevation
Lorain
41.45°N, 82.18°W
America/New_York
186m elevation
Explore more routes from Lorain

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 197 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 49 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 42.1 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients